Locked Out

Transgender students face unique, daily challenges, even at this famously liberal University. Students that do not identify with their biological gender—or even students questioning their gender but not ready to identify themselves publicly—are occasionally chased from bathrooms, forced to jump through desultory bureaucratic hoops, and sporadically snickered at from behind turned shoulders.

Harvard has taken substantial strides to make life easier for its transgender students. Amending its non-discrimination policy to protect gender identity last year was a milestone, and the Committee on House Life’s recent decision to make gender-neutral housing easier to obtain for transgender students—by including a transgender option in addition to the male and female categories on housing forms—is another step in the right direction.

Many of these students will be far more comfortable in gender-neutral housing than in gender-segregated rooms. But such a policy fails to recognize that transgender students might feel more comfortable living with similarly-identifying individuals, without having to disclose their transgender status.

Harvard’s current housing policy also fails to accommodate gay students who might feel more comfortable living with students of a different gender. Given all the potential complications and unique situations, the only equitable solution is for the College to offer gender-neutral housing to all of its students.

Harvard’s current gender-segregated housing policy for all but transgender students is outmoded, paternalistic, and ultimately unworthy of its rich progressive tradition. Undergraduates are mature enough to decide with whom they wish to live, be they male, female, or transgender. In fact, some students of different genders already live together completely harmoniously either in contravention of official policy or by opening fire doors between rooms. Moreover, concerns that have been raised about sexual assault ring hollow—colleges, such as the University of Pennsylvania, that have already moved to gender-neutral housing have not experienced increases in sexual assaults.

According to current rules, gender-neutral suites must have locks on each bedroom door. While we believe this rule is unnecessary, the College should take the necessary steps to provide gender-neutral housing to every student. If that requires locks on every dorm room door, then so be it.

In the interim, there are a limited number of gender-neutral suites available. We hope that the administration gives priority to students who would derive the greatest benefit from living in a gender-neutral room—transgender students. Prioritizing these students above others who desire gender-neutral housing is not an attempt to isolate students that do not fit within traditional gender roles but instead a pragmatic allocation of resources to those who would best be served by them.

Ideally, transgender students at Harvard would not face a harsh and prejudicial climate. While the administration cannot undo stereotypes by fiat, it can and should create a more accepting environment by giving transgender students priority for gender-neutral housing.